This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Concerning Pat Bagley's cartoon about the coming "Obama-pocalypse" (Opinion, Nov. 9), to those who are worried that a second term of President Barack Obama will drive America over the cliff, chill. And to those who say that after Obama's first term they can't comprehend how America could vote for him again, I feel your pain; I've been there.
After the 2000 election, I and many of my friends worried that George W. Bush would destroy or significantly harm the American system. He didn't. Yes, grievous things were done, but our resilient system of checks, dispersed power and ingrained traditions prevailed.
Then in 2004, after poorly executed unfunded wars, unpaid-for tax cuts and Medicare prescriptions and assaults on civil rights, I was stunned that, given Bush's record, Americans re-elected him, albeit by a slim majority of votes. That hurt more than the first election.
Nevertheless, even with all the real harm Bush did, America is strong and recovers. It wasn't the end of the world, or even the American way.
So to those fearful about what Obama may do, take heart that America will weather it. He cannot destroy America.
Mark Smith
Salt Lake City